Micro$oft ending 'mainstream' Windows XP support?

[pstokely]

What exactly this mean? Does this mean they won't have new updates or does this mean I won't be able to download any old updates if I ever reformat or reinstall? Can I get the old updates on CD anywhere? I have SP2 of XP Pro. If reformat after April, will I still be able to download any updates made before April?

[PBS Poll-435]

1. The OEM version of XP includes SP3.

I bought a copy last month for a client. $90 bucks.

[Lethe]

2. if you like XP the best bet

is to download a free software utility that can alter your Windows XP CD. You can create custom CD that has XP OS and SP3 and everything you want and don't want on the CD. You can then burn this to a CD and keep it for future installs.

[pstokely]

3. What about the security and hardware updates?

Does SP3 have those?

[DarkTirade]

4. First they forced the not-quite-ready Vista down our throats...

and then they cut off the OS we know and use the most. The one that's stood the test of time.

And all this before the next version of Windows, which from everything I've heard is what Vista was SUPPOSED to be, has had a chance to get around the market.

:banghead:

[whistler162]

6. Good job on the fail-o-meter....

:nopity:

[DarkTirade]

7. And up until that point they were doing SO well.

They'd really taken a turn for the better for several years.

[Blue_Tires]

8. so why even force Vista if a new Windows is coming?

i thought vista WAS the new windows?

[DarkTirade]

10. It was supposed to be.

But from what I've heard Windows 7 is going to be what Vista was promised to be.

[trotsky]

5. Don't worry.

Official end-of-life for XP (meaning no more patches) isn't until 2014.

[av8rdave]

9. It means they want you to get excited about their next OS

Which, if history is any guide, will be a bug-free, resource conservative, unobtrusive, secure, backward compatible, fast system with free support that's easy and fun to use!